The T-34, the mainstay tank of the Red Army during WWII, has been described
as the most important weapon that helped Russia win the war in the East. It
was the most widely produced tank of the war, and as can be expected, a number
of variants evolved throughout its lifetime. Dragon has chosen one of its important
incarnations as the canvas for its next 1/35 scale plastic kit. The item is
a T-34/76 Model 1943 tank built by Factory No.112 in Gorky, a facility also
known as Krasnoye Sormovo. This T-34 type featured a 76mm cannon in a hexagonal-shaped
turret. The two-man cast turret possessed distinctive soft edges, and it comprised
three main pieces – the walls, roof and ring. It was on this turret that a cupola
for the commander was finally incorporated in the summer of 1943.

Dragon has done a fine job of replicating in 1/35 scale the characteristics
peculiar to this type. The soft-edged turret is a particular feature of the
kit, and its cast texture is amazingly realistic. The turret, which comes from
completely new toolings, is fitted with the correct cupola for the commander’s
use.

This model is simply bulging with detail, and there are photo-etched parts
to represent fine elements such as the engine deck grills and louvers that cannot
be accurately portrayed in plastic. The original tank operated on rubber-tired
road wheels that have been newly tooled just for this kit, and the tank’s also
shod in Magic Tracks that assemble quickly and easily. This is an exciting rendition
of the T-34/76 Mod.1943 from Gorky!